Health Basics | Rook Torres

Jun 23 0

Chiropractic, Immunity & Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Posted by Rook Torres

The healthier you are the less susceptible you are to all disease. It’s that simple and that’s how chiropractic relates to COVID-19 and all coronaviruses, flus, and sickness in general.

The coronavirus claims daily headlines across the nation and world. The sensational reports tend to focus on tragedies and the ultimate reality that sicknesses can be deadly. Other positive realities and facts exist as well. The coronavirus is a common virus that can cause an infection in the nose, sinuses, or upper throat. Most coronaviruses do not accompany the deadly outcomes catching media headlines.

People infected with the coronavirus report coughs, fever, and respiratory issues. Some extreme cases involve pneumonia. Antibiotics do not work against this viral attack on the immune system. Recovery primarily involves the strength of the immune system learning the new virus and developing a way to neutralize it. The best weapon for the coronavirus and the flu begins with building a strong, proactive immune system. As you probably already know the flu vaccine is controversial and it’s efficacy is debated by many health experts. So what should we expect from a new coronavirus vaccine? Attempts have been made in the past to develop coronavirus vaccines with adverse inflammatory reactions too severe to continue.

Our bodies are amazing! One drop of blood contains five million red blood cells, seven thousand white blood cells, and thousands of platelets. These cells work feverishly to heal and defend the body against foreign invaders. The most amazing element of the process comes from the fact that the body adapts and responds naturally and without a conscious decision to do so. The entire process of adaptation and response operates under the direction of the central nervous system.

Scientists discovered the unique connection between the central nervous system and the immune system and continue to compile research and evidence about the process. Chiropractic plays a key role because of the spine’s (spinal cord, central nerve system) relationship with immunity. Research shows that when the spine remains immobile of misaligned, the body operates in a heightened state of stress equivalent to being in battle. Operating in a heightened state of stress weakens rest, immunity, and growth within the nervous system. Gentle Chiropractic adjustments improve immunity by allowing the nervous system to function at maximum capacity for healing and repair. Chiropractic adjustments increase movement and improve alignment while reducing stress. Evidence shows that people who receive regular adjustments report stronger immunity after beginning Chiropractic care.

Research from 2010 determined that patients who received Chiropractic adjustments showed increased levels of a specific signaling molecule in the body called Interleukin-2. Interleukin-2 regulates the activities of white blood cells which are responsible for immunity. The molecule impacts the body’s natural response to microbial infection and helps the body recognize and create specific responses that neutralize foreign invaders. This protein molecule was found to be higher in those who received Chiropractic spinal adjustments when compared to those who did not.

The primary focus of a Chiropractic adjustment does not center on treating a specific symptom or condition. The increased health and function from an adjustment represents an outcome which originates when interference is removed from the nervous system. While other professions focus on changing the environment to suit a weakened body, Chiropractic pursues strengthening the body to suit the environment.

Four Keys to Improving Immunity:
1) Stay on track with adjustments to keep the autonomic nervous system in balance.
2) Consume adequate amounts of Vitamin D, a major immune booster.
3) Add 30-60 minutes of extra sleep to the daily routine. Inadequate sleep depletes immunity.
4) Drink water and remove sugary drinks and snacks from the diet. Sugar drains immunity.
5) Move the body. Exercise increases lymphatic flow and provides significant immune benefits.

Chiropractic & Osteopathy September 2010
“Interleukin 2-regulated in vitro antibody production following a single spinal manipulative treatment in normal subjects.”
JA Teodorczyk-Injeyan, M McGregor, R Ruegg, HS Injeya

Jul 27 0

Adjustments vs. Other Treatments?

Posted by Rook Torres

Mechanical neck pain affects an estimated 70% of people at some point in their lives. Many different treatment approaches are available for neck pain, making it very difficult for those suffering from neck pain to know which treatment approach(es) to choose. Research in this topic has revealed some very interesting information that places chiropractic and spinal manipulation in a VERY STRONG POSITION – in fact, at the TOP OF THE HEAP!

One such study looked at benefits of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) in patients with acute and subacute neck pain. This study compared three study groups: 1. SMT only, 2. medication only, and 3. Home exercise and advice (HEA). This study randomized 272 neck pain patients suffering from neck pain for 2 to 12 weeks into a 12 week treatment period using 1 of the 3 treatment approaches tracking the results with the participant-rated pain as the primary treatment outcome measure. Secondary outcome data was obtained from other approaches. The results showed that the group treated with SMT, “…had a statistically significant advantage over medication after 8, 12, 26 and 52 weeks. HEA also had a statistical advantage over medication. Lastly, similar benefits were calculated between the SMT and exercise group. The conclusions support SMT and exercise/advise to be the choice over medication for acute and subacute neck pain patients. Regarding exercise, a similar study showed that “high-dosed supervised strengthening exercise” with and without SMT, was superior to a “low dose home mobilization exercise and advice group at 4, 12, 26, and 52 weeks.”

Regarding chronic neck pain patients (that means pain that has been present for greater than 3 months), this study evaluated the changes that occurred in 191 patients. These patients were randomized to 11 weeks of 1 of 3 treatment groups and evaluated at 3, 6, 12, & 24 months after treatment. The 3 treatment options included: 1. Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) only, 2. SMT with low-tech neck exercises, or, 3. A form of exercise using a MedX rehab machine. The results support the highest level of patient satisfaction was found in the 2nd group (SMT with low-tech exercise), suggesting that when patients present for treatment, spinal manipulation with low-tech exercises results in the most satisfied patient. These findings are important as this study evaluated the LONG-TERM benefits in patients who have had neck pain for a long time (i.e., “chronic”), where most studies only look at the short-term benefits.

Similar conclusions were reported from perhaps the largest scale study on neck pain based on research from 1980 to 2006 on the use, effectiveness and safety of noninvasive treatment approaches for neck pain and associated disorders. Their review of over 350 articles supported manual therapy (manipulation and mobilization) and supervised exercise to again, SHINE in their conclusions.

What is important is that ALL these studies support what chiropractors do: manipulate the neck and give supervised exercises! So, what are you waiting for? SPREAD THE WORD to everyone that you know who has neck pain – CHIROPRACTIC MAY BE THE BEST CHOICE!!!

Article from In Good Hands Magazine

May 04 0

Patient Satisfaction with Boise Chiropractic Care

Posted by Rook Torres

At a time where patients are constantly being forced to go to different health care providers each year due to their prior doctor “…not being on the list,” are patients truly satisfied with the care/treatment they receive?

If so, what exactly are the reasons and factors that drive patient satisfaction with Chiropractic?

The process of measuring patient satisfaction can be viewed from several different angles.

One study looked at the improvement of the patient’s condition and only 57% of the satisfaction score was based on improvement.

Because the concept of measuring satisfaction is multifactorial, more important methods of measuring patient satisfaction had to be considered.

A recent study did just this – they measured parameters that included pain, disability (activity tolerance), satisfaction with information received, effectiveness of care, caring, and quality of care.

The information was obtained by two different interviewers with similar information received regardless if it was the doctor or a third party.

THE RESULTS SHOWED ALL PATIENTS REPORTED HIGH LEVELS OF SATISFACTION AND THOUGH THE CLINICAL OUTCOMES REGARDING PAIN AND DISABILITY WERE MOST IMPORTANT, THE INFORMATION RECEIVED THAT HELPED PATIENTS UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THEM, AND, WHAT COULD BE DONE (BY BOTH DOCTOR AND PATIENT) TO SPEED RECOVERY AND PREVENT FUTURE EPISODES WERE VERY IMPORTANT FACTORS IN THE OVERALL SATISFACTION SCORE.

Patients also wanted timely information so they were kept up-to-date with what was being done at various points in time during care.

The information had to be understandable and informative and explained in “layman’s terms” so that they “learned something” from the information received.

Caring included four questions:

Does the doctor believe what the patient tells them?
Does the doctor understand the patient’s concerns?
Was the doctor comfortable dealing with the patient’s pain?
Was the doctor concerned about the patient after they left the office?

The information gathered included treatment, doctor confidence, and prognosis (how long it might take to get better). Also, effectiveness was further divided into listening, knowledge, experience, and the use of an active management approach.

The conclusion of the study emphasizes the importance of using a mixed-method approach when examining patient satisfaction.

This includes quantitative “scores” from questionnaires as well as qualitative information about the encounter including information, caring, and effectiveness.

May 04 0

Chiropractic Care…Safe and Cost Effective and…

Posted by Rook Torres

“Ever since I was in my early teens, I’ve had muscle and joint problems that would come and go but never put me down where I couldn’t function. I was very active and played basketball, tennis, and ran in track but over the last 10 years I’ve avoided a lot of activity due to my problems. Now, after having a couple of children and gaining some weight, I notice more frequent and intense back problems and I’m getting quite concerned over the changes that have been taking place and afraid to do things. I talked about this with my family and friends and some have recommended chiropractic, some recommend physical therapy, others suggest medication and one even suggested shots! Quite frankly, I’m totally confused as to what to do!”

This scenario may sound familiar to many people.

The choice of health care provision is a personal one, often influenced by those around you – family, friends, teachers, and more!

It seems like everyone is an “expert” with different opinions and their advice, often conflicting, can lead to confusion about what is best for you.

There are many ways to approach back trouble, regardless of the diagnosis or condition.

First, all health care providers are biased in that they naturally focus on their specialty. If you choose to consult with a surgeon, s/he will look at your condition from a surgical perspective. Various surgical options may be discussed, tests are usually recommended and the process begins.

When consulting with a family physician, the typical approach is pharmaceutical or drugs such as anti-inflammatory medications (Advil, Nuprin, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Aleve, Tylenol, etc.), heat or ice, activity modifications (possibly rest or mild/moderate activity), and possibly referral for chiropractic or physical therapy.

In reviewing the various guidelines, it is recommended to start with the least invasive, safest, most cost effective approaches first.

Unless “red flags” like cancer, fracture, infection or progressive severe neurological losses are present, surgery is not a logical initial approach.

Chiropractic has been recommended as a first or initial choice as it has been found to be safe, highly satisfying, non-invasive, and cost effective.

The typical approach includes a thorough history, an examination that includes an analysis of posture, motion, function and includes the whole body.

For example, if one leg is short, the pelvis will tilt and spine is often crooked. That needs to be corrected for both long and short term results.

If the feet pronate and the arches are flat, the effects on gait/walking on the ankle, knee, hip and back can lead to trouble or perpetuate current problems.

Deconditioning or, being out of shape is an important aspect included in the chiropractic management process.

If these methods fail to bring about satisfying results, referral for more invasive approaches will be considered.

Apr 25 0

12 Tips to Reduce Allergies in Boise

Posted by Rook Torres

The dry climate in Boise is about to really take hold and that means allergy season is going to kick into high gear.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), over half of Americans are allergic to one or more allergens. It’s never more apparent than during spring and summer in Boise, when seasonal allergies are likely to flare up.

Aside from the lousy, coldlike symptoms that allergies provoke (sneezing, congestion, watery/itchy eyes, runny nose, etc.), allergies can cost you days at work and money to seek out solutions. In fact, according to AAAAI, allergies may cost Americans close to $8 billion a year in costs related to direct care and lost work productivity.

If you live in the United States, chances are you have allergies. At least, that’s the finding from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).

According to NHANES III, the top four most common allergens include:

Dust mites
Rye
Ragweed
Cockroaches

About 25 percent of Americans tested positive to each one. Least common was the peanut, with only 9 percent reacting positively.

As for food allergies, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network says that eight foods account for 90 percent of all foodrelated allergic reactions:

As pollen, and other allergens peak in Boise this spring, those with allergies should stay indoors as much as possible (or if you can’t resist venturing outside, at least shower and wash your clothing afterward).

Staying indoors when pollen counts are high is one of the best ways to prevent allergy symptoms.

Milk
Egg
Peanut
Tree nut (walnut, cashew, etc.)
Fish
Shellfish Soy Wheat

While it would seem that, with so many people suffering from allergies, we would be well prepared as a population to handle them and know their causes, this is not the case. Nearly half (49 percent) of allergy sufferers wait until symptoms occur to take action, rather than using preventative measures. This is unfortunate when it’s so easy to do! Increasing immune function will help reduce or eliminate allergies altogether.

I’ve had dozens of patients over the years tell me their allergies were reduced or eliminated during and after chiropractic care. What’s funny is that no a single person told me they had allergies to start with or wanted treatment for allergies! Boosting the body’s internal ability to heal and function is what chiropractic does and it shows in cases like this.

Minimize your allergies with these 12 tips, however, the best tip is…boost your immune system with wholesome foods and chiropractic care to ensure your body functions at it’s best so you can enjoy life to the fullest:

1. Keep your windows closed to keep pollen out (this is especially important from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. when plants release most of their pollen).

2. Use your air conditioner instead of opening windows, and ideally use an air conditioner that has an allergyreducing HEPA filter in it.

3. Check the daily pollen and mold counts (AAAAI’s National Allergy Bureau has daily pollen counts for locations across the country). If counts are high, stay indoors as much as possible. Also stay indoors if it’s windy, as dust and pollen will be blown about.

4. Clean your home frequently to reduce pollen, mold, dust and other allergens.

5. Wash your bedding once a week in hot water to help get rid of dust mites and other allergy triggers.

Some people face worse allergy flareups in the fall than the spring.

6. Shower before you go to bed. This will help wash away any pollen, mold and other allergens that have accumulated in your hair and on your body.

7. Always wash your clothes after spending time outdoors to remove pollen and other allergens.

8. Have someone else mow your lawn. Cutting the grass will expose you to a host of pollens and molds (the same goes for raking leaves in the fall).

9. Wipe off surfaces you touch often. Surfaces such as computer keyboards, countertops, furniture, door handles and appliances can be loaded with allergens. When you touch these areas, the allergens are transferred to your hands and then likely to your eyes, nose and mouth, potentially worsening your symptoms. Giving these a wipe with a microfiber cloth can keep all types of allergens to a minimum.

11. Resist the temptation to hang your clothes out in the sun to dry. When you bring them inside, they’ll be covered in pollen and mold.

12. Get away for a while. If you can spare a few weeks, great, but even a weeklong vacation to a lowpollen area (such as a beach) can be a muchneeded reprieve.

Article adapted from Dr. Mancini (see linked article)

Apr 06 0

What This Boise Lady Did When She Found Out She Had a Breech Baby Was…

Posted by Rook Torres

Unorthodox? Unusual? Unique? Well, not really. For decades women right here is Boise, Idaho have been looking for more natural solutions to problems during pregnancy. Since the 1980’s it has fallen out of favor to deliver breech babies, that is, babies who present feet or rear end first at delivery, rather than head first. It used to be common practice to deliver breech babies. Doctors were trained to do what other cultures all over the world have done since the beginning of time. However, as healthcare costs have risen and insurance companies are more and more protective of liability, it has fallen out of favor to even train doctors to deliver breech babies. Now it’s hard to find a doctor who knows how or has ever seen it done when it used to be part of “normal” delivery.

Dr. Larry Webster, a chiropractor with a pediatric specialty and an ingenious thinker, developed a technique to remove constraint on an unborn fetus over 40 years ago. This technique, Webster’s In-Utero Constraint Technique, is often called “Webster’s Breech Turning Technique” because of it’s uncanny correlation with breech babies turning to the proper head down position. In over 800 cases Dr. Webster had only 18 breech babies fail to turn! However, this technique is not specifically for turning breech babies. It removes neurological disturbances and soft tissue constraint that prevents the fetus from moving freely within the uterus.

I can personally attest to these amazing statistics. I’ve seen it first hand in my practice and am certified in Webster’s In-Utero Constraint Technique with nearly 100 percent results in the last 15 years. Now current research is publishing the results. For the healthiest pregnancy possible try chiropractic care, you won’t regret it!

Look at this research just published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health:

Objective: To describe the chiropractic care of a pregnant patient presenting with hip/pelvic pain and breech presentation.

Clinical Features: A 37-year-old woman in her 35th week of gestation was experiencing right hip and pelvic pain with ultrasound imagining documenting frank breech pregnancy. Vertebral subluxations were identified using Webster Technique.

Intervention and Outcome: The patient received care with the Webster Technique over three visits spanning five days. The patient gave birth vaginally with the baby in the vertex position.

Conclusion: Pregnant patients under chiropractic care may benefit beyond symptomatic care.

Mar 08 0

Resolution of Fatigue, Malaise & Depression

Posted by Rook Torres

Here is another great example of how chiropractic care helps in many ways that you may not have thought of. The reason is simple and overlooked by many in healthcare. The central nervous system controls all function in the body. That’s ALL FUNCTION. Every cell, every tissue, every organ, every system, every muscle, every signal, and every chemical reaction. Got it? Everything! So what if your nervous system malfunctions, or can’t get signals through to the body properly? What if your body can’t receive the signals even if they’re sent by the brain properly? You see, there are many ways this miscommunication can happen, ultimately leading to malfunction in the body and some sort of breakdown. If it goes on long enough could it even cause death? You bet!

Chiropractic was specifically developed to find nerve disturbances called subluxations which interfere with nerve communication and eventually lead to declining health and malfunction in the body. Chiropractic adjustments remove subluxation and allow your body to heal, communicate and function as intended, allowing you to be the best you can be!

Read this article and think about the possibilities:

Resolution of Fatigue, Malaise & Depression in a 30 Year Old Male Following Subluxation-Based Chiropractic Care Utilizing Gonstead Technique: A Case Study

Brian Berg, D.C.

Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ February 29, 2016 ~ Pages 10-20

Abstract

Objective: This case study describes the effects of subluxation-based chiropractic care on the management of a 30-year-old male with fatigue, malaise and depression.

Clinical Features: A 30-year-old white married male presented with the chief complaint of general tiredness, fatigue, loss of energy and depression. The patient history also revealed complaints of occasional headaches and acid reflux.

Interventions and Outcomes: Over an eight-month period of time, the patient received specific intersegmental chiropractic care via the Gonstead Technique for reduction of vertebral subluxation. 46 total adjustive procedures were administered over 22 office visits. SF-36 general health survey was utilized to document patient progress at two-month intervals. Data analysis demonstrated significant improvement particularly in the areas of General Health, Mental Health, and Mental Component Summary, correlating with subjective patient reporting.

Conclusion: This case study demonstrates the efficacy of subluxation-based chiropractic care for the management of fatigue and malaise in a single patient. Following eight months of care via the Gonstead Technique, the patient’s symptoms of fatigue and malaise were reduced, and objective health measures via the SF-36 noted marked improvement in multiple areas.

Aug 13 0

I was amazed to find out the safest healthcare profession is…

Posted by Rook Torres

For many, chiropractic care is the primary form of healthcare trusted to stay healthy and strong. However, for a few, there is a perpetuating fear about the safety of chiropractic care. Personally, I think it’s because they watch too many movies! Just kidding, but the fear exists for some people regardless safety statistics and how detailed the proof is. I hear it all the time…stories about somebody, who knows somebody, who knows a medical doctor, who sees these people all time in the ER…etc. Here are a few facts to put your mind at ease:

Professional liability (malpractice) insurance is based on claims paid due to actual injuries caused and the data is aggregated nationally. Among ALL healthcare professionals including dentists and nurses, chiropractor’s rates are the lowest. It’s simple; chiropractic care is so safe the insurance rates reflect it.

People confuse “manipulation” with a chiropractic “adjustment.” If they were the same thing then they would have the same name. Many non chiropractic practitioners (from massage therapists to osteopaths) use manipulation to mobilize joints and break up scar tissue, etc., however, those procedures can vary drastically from an adjustment in application and intent. The intent of an adjustment is to remove nerve disturbances called subluxations. Manipulation’s intent is to mobilize joints only.

There’s been much controversy over a connection between stroke and chiropractic. The most important thing to know here is the difference between correlation and cause. Just because two things happen within a few weeks of each other doesn’t mean one caused the other. The science on this issue does a great job of setting it straight. The most recent study performed is in the Journal of Chiropractic and Manual Therapies entitled Chiropractic care and the risk of vertebrobasilar stroke: results of a case–control study in U.S. commercial and Medicare Advantage populations. This study has 58 references, 1,829 stroke cases, and lasted from Jan. 2011-Dec. 2013, and concluded: We found no significant association between exposure to chiropractic care and the risk of VBA stroke. We conclude that manipulation is an unlikely cause of VBA stroke.

It is important to understand the risks associated with some of the most common pain treatments—prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)—as these options may carry risks significantly greater than those of manipulation. According to a study from the American Journal of Gastroenterology, approximately one-third of all hospitalizations and deaths related to gastrointestinal bleeding can be attributed to the use of aspirin or NSAID painkillers like ibuprofen. It’s estimated that 120,000 deaths per year are attributed to NSAIDS and zero to chiropractic care.

I feel chiropractic care is very likely the safest health care profession that exists considering the volume of adjustments and results delivered. After practicing for 15 years and delivering hundreds of thousands of precise and measured adjustments I can tell you with certainty how safe and effective they are. Come on in, I’d love to be a part of your wellness team!

Jun 25 2

The Nature of Life

Posted by Rook Torres

This is an article I’ve adapted for you by Dr. Patrick Gentempo who is one of the greatest thinkers in healthcare today. Enjoy! -Dr. Rook

In order to succeed in chiropractic and creating wellness it is critical to have a foundational understanding as to the nature of life. This is especially true with regard to health.

The first thing you need to understand is that you are born to develop, heal, adapt and thrive. You don’t need drugs to do it. You don’t need surgery to do it. You have a life force that directs the whole process. This principle forms the major premise of chiropractic which states “There is a Universal Intelligence in all matter, constantly
giving to it its properties and actions, thereby maintaining it in existence.”

It is also important to understand that life is conditional. This means that if the conditions of life are not properly met, its expression will be limited, and if the condition contains enough severe negative stress, life will cease.

Now, if we look to apply these concepts, it makes sense that we make our best efforts to work with these principles—and that is exactly what the chiropractic lifestyle does.

We take positive action on the things that we know support and enhance life, and we act to eliminate things that take life away. This is no easy task, and I salute you for making this incredible commitment to chiropractic and create wellness in your life, a commitment that should continue as a lifestyle for your lifetime!

Action Step: What I want you to do this week is pay close attention to what you do, and see if it contributes to or takes away from your well-being. This will enhance the health giving quality of your life’s practices.

Now that you have a better understanding of the principles of life, along with the resources Dr. Rook provides, you will begin making better decisions for you and the ones you love.

Thank you for your commitment to Reclaim Your Life, and remember—you are not alone.

Apr 30 0

Why Stress Hurts

Posted by rook

As your neighbor’s dog barks well into the night, you lie awake on an uncomfortable mattress feeling the same aches and pains that have kept you awake for weeks. Your neck and back ache like crazy. You might try a massage if you could find the time in your hectic schedule, but your mother-in-law is visiting next week and you still have to finish that quarterly report to the board. Stress has become more than an irritant in your life. Stress is now causing you to suffer, impacting your quality of life.

When we experience stress, our heart rate increases, our muscles grow tight, our blood pressure rises, and we feel nervous and out of control. The immune system breaks down and you are more vulnerable to illness. Stress can also cause your body to feel tight, stiff, and old before its time.

When stress is ignored, you can develop chronic stress which has been proven to raise the risk of heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, stroke, and other illnesses. Chronic stress also results in headaches, ulcers, insomnia, depression, stomachaches, even memory lapses.

In a healthy person, the brain and nervous system are in constant communication with every cell of your body? The body communicates by using a complex system of nerves to all of your muscles, bones, blood vessels, organs and systems to keep you healthy. This is how your body knows when to breathe, how to walk, and how to adapt itself to its environment and alleviate stress. When you ignore your body’s signals of high stress levels, or if your body has a communication breakdown in the nerve system, you may develop more serious health issues like those listed above.

Chiropractors can perform several non-invasive tests that can detect the effects of stress on your nervous system. Examples of these tests include strength tests, weight balance tests and muscle tests. Patients can even opt for Space Foundation certified technology that many chiropractors are now using, which is the same testing that was used to examine the astronauts in the space program.

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